Interactive multimedia smart affinity card

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose card, including, a multimedia card portion and a second card portion wherein the two card portions releasably cover the multimedia surface of the multimedia card portion. The multimedia card portion can include CD, DVD, or other media technology, while the second card portion can be a credit card, affinity card, or other such card.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 11/060,210, filed Feb. 16, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,749 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/545,418, filed Feb. 17, 2004, entitled “INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA SMART CARD”, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

Disclosed is an interactive multimedia smart card, and more particularly, an interactive multimedia smart card that stores digital information utilizing compact disks (CD) or digital video disks (DVD), including affinity card, smart card, debit card, and credit card capabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many attempts have been made to combine the benefits of storing digital media through CD or DVD technology with a banking or affinity card. Nevertheless, digital media, such as CDs or DVDs are required to have a thickness that is standard in the computer industry to allow the digital information to be read from the digital media. For example, a typical CD is approximately 1.2 mm in thickness.

In contrast, a typical credit card is approximately 0.033 mm in thickness, and this is the standard thickness for credit cards since it is desirable for credit cards to have a standard thickness that may be inserted into a credit card reader for reading information or data that is stored on a magnetic strip. Therefore, to date, it has been a challenge to provide a banking card that may be inserted into the corresponding machines for the reading of information from the bank card in a CD or DVD reader.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed is an interactive multimedia smart card, otherwise known herein as a multipurpose card, wherein the multimedia card portion incorporates digital media, such as a CD or DVD disk. The card also includes a banking card portion, which may include a smart chip, a magnetic strip, or affinity, credit, or debit card capabilities, wherein the card is utilized in a wallet-sized platform. The multimedia card portion and the banking card portion both include means for connecting to each other so that the card portions create a stacked relationship relative to each other. The top layer, or the banking card portion, consists of an otherwise traditional looking embossed plastic affinity, credit, debit, or smart card. And the bottom layer, or the multimedia card portion consists of a credit card shaped digital media, such as a CD or DVD disk. The CD or DVD disk may be in the format that is read only or it may include a read/write format. The multimedia card portion and the banking card portion are joined together by locking means, which allows for separation and reconnection by moving the card portions in opposite directions. For example, the card portions may be twisted apart relative to each other. When separated, the banking card portion may be used in existing terminal card readers, including those terminal card readers that read information through a smart chip, or a swipe of a bank card, or terminal card readers that utilize motorized card reading mechanisms. The multimedia card portion may be utilized in most existing CD and/or DVD read or write mechanism, such as those utilized in computers or in home theater systems.

A multimedia card, including, a multimedia card portion, a multimedia card holder portion, and a multimedia cover portion, wherein the multimedia cover portion including a magnetic stripe containing magnetic information, and wherein the multimedia cover portion and the multimedia card holder portion releasably cover the multimedia card portion in between the multimedia cover portion and the multimedia card holder portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an interactive multimedia smart affinity card according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the interactive multimedia smart affinity card according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear plan view of the card according to the first embodiment, wherein the multimedia portion of the card is shown rotated in relation to a banking portion of the card;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the card, similar to the view shown in FIG. 3, illustrating the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the card according to the present disclosure, illustrating a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the card according to the present disclosure, illustrating the multimedia portion of the card partially separated from the banking portion of the card, according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear plan view of the card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of the card according to the second embodiment, wherein the multimedia portion of the card is shown partially separated from the banking portion of the card;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial exploded front view of the card taken from view 9-9 from FIG. 7 illustrating how the multimedia portion of the card and the banking portion of the card interlock with each other according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the multimedia card assembly as according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a multimedia cover portion according to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the multimedia cover portion;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a multimedia portion according to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a multimedia card holder portion according to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the multimedia card holder portion; and

FIG. 16 is a close up cross-sectional side view of a protrusion extending from the multimedia card holder portion and an opening in the multimedia cover portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is an interactive multimedia smart card incorporating a multimedia card portion that is releasably connected to a banking card portion, and the card portions are in a layered or stacked configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, in a first embodiment, the multipurpose card can include a bank card portion 32 and a multimedia card portion 36. As shown in FIG. 1, the bank card portion may be an affinity card, a credit card, a debit card, and may include other technologies that are being incorporated into banking cards, as will be further described below. An affinity card may be offered by two organizations; one is a card issuer and the other is a professional association, special interest group or other non-bank company that offer the affinity card. Usually, use of the card entitles holders to special discounts or deals from the non-financial group. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bank card portion 32 includes a bar code 12 so that the bank card portion may be scanned and provide additional information to a merchant or affiliate. The bank card portion also may include a magnetic strip or magnetic data 14 that is adhered to the bank card portion so that the bank card portion may be swiped or utilized in motorized card reader mechanisms. For safety purposes, the bank card portion may further include a hologram 16 and even an identification photo 30 of the bank card holder. The bank card portion may further include a logo 18 identifying the issuer of the bank card, or an affiliate associated with the issuer of the bank card. The bank card portion and the multimedia portion combine to make the multipurpose card 10, which may be in a wallet size card platform for easy carrying by the card holder and allows for convenient storage and distribution by an affiliate or the issuer.

The bank card portion may include a non-contact chip 22. Contactless smart cards, sometimes known as RFID cards, are passed near an antenna (Reader) without any physical connectivity, to carry out a transaction. They look just like plastic credit cards, except that they have an electronic microchip and an antenna embedded inside. The CLSC components allow the card to communicate with an antenna/coupler unit without any physical contact. Contactless cards are self-powering, i.e., they use the energy of the radio waves emanating from the readers. Contact smart cards must be inserted physically into a smart card reader to initiate a transaction. Contact cards have a small square gold plate about ½″ in size on the front panel, instead of a magnetic strip on the back like a credit card. When the card is inserted into a smart card reader, it makes contact with electrical connectors that transfer data to and from the chip. The bank card portion may further include raised data 24 illustrating the bank card number that has been issued by the issuer and to the bank card holder. The raised data 24 also allows for the bank card portion to be swiped by existing mechanical friction swiping mechanisms typically used in a credit card situation, such as at a restaurant or other location that does not have a motorized card reader mechanism. The bank card portion may further include a smart chip 26 which includes a storage of digital data relating to the bank card issuer and the bank card holder. The smart chip 26 also may include information relating to an affiliate of the bank card issuer. The smart chip 26 also may include account balances and other personal information about the bank card holder, making the bank card portion more versatile than typical credit or debit cards. The bank card portion also may include a replicated signature 28 of the bank card holder, which combined with the identification photo 30 of the bank card holder provides additional security measures in the attempt to prevent fraudulent use by the person other than the actual bank card holder.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multipurpose card has a back side 34 separate from the multimedia card portion 36. The multimedia card portion includes an aperture 35 to allow for the multimedia card to be located in a CD or DVD drive typical in a CD or DVD reader. The multimedia card portion 36 also may include indicia 39, which further provides an opportunity for advertisement for an affiliate or the bank card issuer, or further surface area for printing information relating to the bank card holder. The back side of the multipurpose card 34 also may include an additional barcode 37 to allow for scanning for information relating to the purchase or distribution channels of the multipurpose card 10. The barcode 37 also allows for the multipurpose card to be an item that may be purchased at a point of sale at any location capable of conducting such a transaction.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the relationship between the banking card portion 32 and the multimedia card portion 36. FIG. 3 further illustrates a force as shown in the direction of arrow 38 wherein the multimedia card portion is shown being twisted or rotated in relation to the bank card portion. Or in the alternative, the bank card portion 32 could be rotated relative to the multimedia card portion 36. When the card portions are rotated relative to each other, the outer edge 40 of the multimedia card portion is rotated out of an interconnecting groove 42 of the bank card portion revealing an underside 44 of the bank card portion.

FIG. 4 further illustrates the multimedia card portion 36 being rotated relative to the bank card portion 34. The multimedia card portion 36 includes a recessed ledge 46 that slides into and interacts with a lip 48 located on the bank card portion 34. It will appreciated by those skilled in the art that any kind of interlocking relationship or means for releasably connecting the multimedia card portion to the bank card portion may be utilized to achieve the desired results as disclosed herein. Nevertheless, the multipurpose card, as disclosed herein, has a relatively consistent thickness when the two cards are layered or sandwiched together.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the disclosed multipurpose card wherein the multimedia card portion 34 includes a protrusion or protruding ridge 38 that extends into a recess 36 in the bank card portion 32. The protrusion or ridge 38 releasably interconnects with the recess 36. This is further shown in FIG. 6 wherein the protrusion or ridge 46 is shown extending into recess 48 and the multimedia card portion is shown partially extended from the bank card portion 32.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear prospective view of the second embodiment wherein the multimedia card includes digitally stored data 50 as seen in this embodiment since the multimedia card portion is made of a relatively transparent material. The aperture 35 is further illustrated in FIG. 7 which allows the multimedia card portion to be utilized in a CD or DVD drive.

FIG. 8 illustrates the multimedia card portion 36 being releasably disengaged from the bank card portion 34 and this view further illustrates the recesses 48 in the rear surface of the bank card portion. In this embodiment, the protrusions and the recesses are shown in a radius fashion, however it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other geometric configurations which allow for a locking relationship between the multimedia portion and the bank card portion. For example, the protrusions and the ridges can be cooperating on a radius that is much larger but not a straight line across the card portions. In other words, some friction must be provided between the card portions so that the cards do not easily become released from each other. This is further illustrated in FIG. 9 wherein the bank card portion 34 is shown with a recess 48 having an angle Θ¹. Further FIG. 9 illustrates the multimedia card portion 36 with protrusion 50. Protrusion 50 includes an angle Θ². FIG. 9 illustrates the protrusion and recess in an exploded view for clarification. The angled relationship of the protrusion 50 and the recess 48 allow for some friction when the card portions are releasably connected together and therefore the portions are not easily removed without the user applying force to one card portion relative to the other. Of course other interlocking relationships may be utilized, however, according to the present disclosure the bank card portion must maintain a certain thickness, and typically the thickness is 0.033 mm. These thicknesses allow the bank card portions to be utilized in existing terminal card readers and motorized card reader mechanisms. In addition, the protrusion 50 from the multimedia card portion 36 allows for the multimedia card portion to evenly rest in most CD or DVD drives if the drive is positioned in a horizontal relationship relative to the grounds.

Each card is printed on top-quality 0.032 mm PVC plastic and serialized to guarantee durability, security, and full functionality.

A separate embodiment is disclosed in FIGS. 11-17. In this embodiment, the multimedia card portion is made of a polycarbonate material and may be a CD, CDR, CDRW, DVD, DVDR, DVDRW, HDDVD, HDDVDR, or a HDDVDRW. These examples are exemplary only, and any future CD or DVD derivative is intended to be within the scope of the present patent.

In this embodiment, the multimedia card assembly comprises generally of three portions. The three portions are a multimedia cover portion 70, a multimedia card holder portion 78, and the multimedia portion 74. In this embodiment, the multimedia portion 74 is positively held in the multimedia card holder portion 78, as shown in FIG. 10. The multimedia cover portion 70 then removably locks into the multimedia card holder portion 78, generally enclosing the multimedia portion 74.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the multimedia cover portion 70 may be a bank card, such as a credit card or debit card, or an affinity card, such as a gift card or the like. Therefore, the multimedia cover portion 70 may include a magnetic stripe 92, and/or a smart chip, or other integrated circuit 94.

The multimedia cover portion also includes a plurality of openings 72 a through 72 h. These openings are oriented to releasably interconnect with protrusions 80 a through 80 h, respectively, which are oriented on the multimedia card holder portion 78.

Referring to FIG. 16, a close up view of a protrusion 80 d is shown opposed to the mating opening 72 d. A positive lock is provided when a protrusion 80 is inserted into an opening 72, locking the multimedia card holder portion 78 to the multimedia cover portion 70. The resulting configuration is shown in the close up view shown in FIG. 10, wherein the multimedia cover portion 70 is releasably affixed to the multimedia card holder portion 78, effectively covering, or enclosing the multimedia portion 74 in the multimedia card assembly 100.

Referring to FIG. 12, a side view of the multimedia cover portion 70 is illustrated. The thickness of the multimedia cover portion 70 is in the range to allow the multimedia cover portion 70 to be utilized as a bank card, or other card as described above. Therefore, the multimedia cover portion 70 may be used in, for example, an ATM machine or other bank card swiping or impression type machines.

As shown in FIG. 13, the multimedia portion 74 includes a hub opening 76 so that the multimedia portion 74 may be utilized in a CD or DVD tray in a computer utilizing a hub to center the CD or DVD appropriately. The multimedia portion 74 also includes a first side orientation flat 88 a and a second side orientation flat 88 b. The orientation flats 88 a and 88 b mate with similar orientation flats in the multimedia card holder portion 78, as will be further described below. The multimedia portion 74 also includes a top flat 89 a and a bottom flat 89 b which coincides with the configuration of the multimedia card holder portion 78.

The multimedia card holder portion 78 further includes a finger opening 82. The finger opening 82, in conjunction with the overhang 96, as shown in FIG. 10, allows the user to separate the multimedia cover portion 70 from the multimedia portion 74 and the multimedia card holder portion 78. Therefore, in use, the user will insert a finger through the finger opening 82 and through the hub opening 76 to apply pressure to the multimedia cover portion 70, and at the same time, the user will use their thumb and other finger, such as the middle finger or ring finger to apply pressure to the multimedia card holder portion. The user then uses their other hand to grip onto the multimedia cover portion 70 by a first overhang 96 a and a second overhang 96 b, to separate the multimedia cover portion 70 from the multimedia card holder portion 78. During the separation process, the protrusions 80 are removed from the openings 72.

The multimedia card holder portion 78 further includes a recess 84, as shown in FIG. 15. The recess allows for the multimedia portion 74 to be housed in the multimedia card holder portion 78. In operation, the multimedia portion 74 is inserted into the multimedia card holder portion 78 so that the top and bottom flats 89 a and 89 b are adjacent to the orientation flats 86 a and 86 b and the multimedia card holder portion 78. The multimedia portion 74 is then rotated so that the orientation flats 88 a and 88 b are adjacent to the orientation flats 86 a and 86 b and the multimedia card holder portion 78. As shown in FIG. 10, the multimedia portion 74 is held into place by being housed in an undercut 90 a and 90 b.

The undercut may be nonexistent in the areas of 86 a and 86 b in the multimedia card holder portion 78, so that the multimedia portion 74 may be easily released from the multimedia card holder portion 78 with minimal force from the user.

Although this disclosure has been shown and described with respect to detailed embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. 

1. A multipurpose card, comprising: a multimedia card portion having a substantially flat surface including an exposed multimedia surface, the exposed multimedia surface comprising a disc shaped optically readable memory; and a substantially flat second card portion having means to connect to the multimedia card portion, and the multimedia card portion having a protrusion to connect to the second card portion so that the card portions releasably connect to each other in a stacked relationship and such that the second card portion and the multimedia card portion releasably cover the exposed multimedia surface in between the second card portion and the multimedia card portion, wherein when separated from the second card portion, the multimedia card portion is usable in a multimedia reader device; and wherein the second card portion comprises a machine readable memory storing information thereon, the second card portion read via one of swiping through a card reader, inserting into a card reader, and passing near a card reader enabling communication with the card reader.
 2. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the exposed multimedia surface of the multimedia card portion is selected from the group consisting of CD, CDR, CDRW, DVD, DVDR, DVDRW, HDDVD, HDDVDR, and HDDVDRW.
 3. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the second card portion means to connect include a plurality of openings.
 4. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the second card portion is the thickness of a bank card.
 5. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein when the card portions are not rotated with respect to one another the multimedia card portion extends beyond the second card portion at a first side and a second side to create a first overhang and a second overhang relative to the second card portion.
 6. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the second card portion includes a magnetic stripe.
 7. The multipurpose card according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic stripe is located on a side of the second card portion such that when the second card portion is interconnected with the multimedia card portion, the multimedia card portion covers the magnetic stripe.
 8. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the second card portion includes a magnetic stripe located on a side of the second card portion such that when the second card portion is connected to the multimedia card portion, the multimedia card portion covers the magnetic stripe.
 9. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the multimedia card portion includes a plurality of protrusions on the substantially flat surface that facilitate loading of the multimedia card portion in a tray-loading multimedia reader device.
 10. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the second card portion is adapted to be swiped through a bank card reader.
 11. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, further comprising an overhang which exists when the card portions are connected to each other and the card portions are not rotated relative to one another.
 12. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein one of the card portions overhangs the other card portion when the card portions are releasably attached and not rotated relative to one another.
 13. The multipurpose card according to claim 12, wherein the multimedia card portion overhangs the second card portion.
 14. The multipurpose card according to claim 1, wherein the portions are generally congruent with each other. 